Main pic: Vinny McLaughlin (L) and his cousin, Marc McCarron.
A Letterkenny man who lives with Cystic Fibrosis is urging Donegal people to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) ahead of its annual fundraiser.
Marc McCarron wants you to help CFI meet its fundraising target of €300,000 on ‘65 Roses Day’ which takes place on Friday, 12th April nationwide. 65 Roses Day derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words “cystic fibrosis”.
Volunteers will be out in force selling purple roses in Donegal and across the country, in Dunnes Stores, shopping centres and other participating outlets nationwide.
The local outlets include;
- Dunnes Stores, Forte Shopping Centre, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny
- Dunnes Stores, Main Street, Old Town Road, Letterkenny
Supporting the campaign this year and encouraging the public to get involved are Marc McCarron and Vinny McLaughlin, his best friend and cousin, both from Letterkenny.
“I am doing well again thanks to Kaftrio. But all through the years, CFI have been fantastic over the years,” Marc said.
“They provide exercise grants, throughout Covid they would send out PPE gear like masks, gloves, hand sanitiser, and any time I am in hospital, they are there to help. So, I’m calling on everyone to get out on the 12th of April and support CFI on 65 Roses Day to keep services like these going,” Marc continues.
Vinny says: “Marc was diagnosed when he was born. He was well as a child, and it really started to impact him in his teens. He had so many chest infections and hospitalisations. To see some of what he has been through is heart-breaking.”
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world and some of the most severe types. There are more than 1,400 people living with CF in Ireland and the number is increasing each year as a result of improvements in treatment and care.
Funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help to provide exercise equipment, counselling sessions, and grants for people with CF undergoing a transplant, fertility assessment or families with CF who have recently been bereaved. Funds also go to support Cystic Fibrosis research and the building of new CF hospital facilities and the funding of specialist CF staff.
Please support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day, Friday 12th April by donating online at 65roses.ie or purchasing a purple rose in participating Dunnes Stores, Shopping Centres and other outlets nationwide.
Tags:
